https://www.macon.com/news/nation-world/world/article253494434.html
Macon
Lionel Messi stood and smiled, looking transfixed as Paris Saint-Germain fans chanted the soccer great’s name — “Leo Messi, Leo Messi” — before Saturday’s French league game against Strasbourg.
PSG’s latest signing joined four other recruits as they were presented before some 49,000 fans at Parc des Princes before kickoff.
Messi was not in the actual squad for the game. He only recently returned from an extended holiday after helping Argentina win the Copa America. Although he has started training with PSG, Messi is not yet match fit.
In a scene which few could have predicted even recently, former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos applauded Messi — his eternal Barcelona nemesis and the all-time record scorer in “Clasicos” between Barcelona and Madrid — as he joined him on the podium.
Italy’s Euro 2020 star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Netherlands captain Georginio Wijnaldum, and former Inter Milan right back Achraf Hakimi were all given loud ovations.
But nothing compared to the huge one reserved for Messi, a four-time Champions League and six-time Golden Ball winner.
He joined PSG on a two-year deal this week after his new deal with Barcelona sensationally collapsed and left him in tears as PSG moved quickly.
Earlier Saturday, coach Christophe Galtier returned to Lille and punished his old club as Nice won 4-0.
Striker Kasper Dolberg and midfielder Hichem Boudaoui scored inside the first four minutes, with lively forward Amine Gouiri involved in both.
Lille clawed back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 last weekend, but there was no comeback this time as Gouiri made it 3-0 from the penalty spot shortly after the break and Dolberg headed in his second midway through the second ha…
